High expectations, and long to-do lists can leave you feeling overwhelmed during your internship. It’s not uncommon to feel like there’s too much to juggle and not enough time to do it all. When you’re constantly bombarded with new tasks, deadlines, and responsibilities, it’s easy to get lost in the pressure of trying to keep up. However, there are strategies you can use to manage this stress effectively. One such technique is Partializing.
Partializing is the practice of breaking down large, overwhelming tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. Start by prioritizing tasks based on their urgency and importance. Instead of trying to tackle everything at once, it’s critical that you focus on completing one task at a time. This will not only help you stay organized but also give you a sense of accomplishment as you check off each item. It takes practice, but it’s important to remind yourself to stay present and focus on what you’re doing at the moment. Avoid thinking ahead to what comes next.
Remember, you can only do one thing at a time no matter how tempting it may be to multitask. Research shows that when you multitask you reduce your efficiency and you’re more likely to make mistakes.
Additionally, stress is a low-grade activation of your body’s fight-or-flight response. This primal reaction, which is designed to help you face physical threats, can get activated in situations that feel challenging or uncertain. When we face challenges during our internship, our brains sometimes perceive these challenges as life-or-death situations, even though they aren’t. This can cause an overwhelming sense of fear or anxiety, as if our survival is at stake. However, it’s essential to recognize that the pressure you feel is temporary.
A helpful way to counteract this stress response is to slow-down and take a moment to imagine the worst-case scenario — the outcome that you’re most afraid of. Visualize it in detail and then think calmly about how you would best handle the situation. This can be surprisingly empowering because it allows you to reframe the situation and feel more in control. In addition, your brain is unconsciously realizing that the feared event is not a matter of life-or-death. By planning ahead and imagining how you’d manage if things didn’t go as you’d like, you lessen the fear of the unknown. The more you practice this kind of mental preparation, the more effective you’ll be at reducing your stress in high-pressure situations.
Also, remember that internships are the platform for learning. Therefore, be kind to yourself and give yourself the latitude to make mistakes. The mistakes that you make provide the foundations for important lessons and skills that would not otherwise be acquired.
By implementing these strategies and recognizing the root causes of your stress, you’ll be better equipped to navigate your internship with a clearer mind and greater confidence.
The best to you.